Six Flags Great Adventure welcomes first sea lion pup

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JACKSON, N.J. — Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates the first sea lion pup born at the world’s largest theme park. The healthy male pup named “Kona” weighed approximately 18 pounds at birth June 25, and now weighs in at 33 pounds at one month of age.

Kona is the park’s fifth California sea lion. Mother Anoki successfully delivered her first pup under the careful observation of the park’s veterinary and animal care teams at Seafari Theater in the park’s Golden Kingdom section. At four days old, Kona began learning how to use his flippers and developed a signature call with his mother. Anoki continues to nurse her pup, and has proven to be an excellent mother.

“Kona is becoming more proficient at swimming and has begun teething. Similar to human babies, Kona puts anything in his mouth, most often his flippers,” said Jessica Peranteau, senior supervisor of animal training.

Six Flags expects big things from its first-born sea lion. “Kona means ‘world ruler’ in Gaelic, and it also happens to be his mother’s nickname when spelled backwards,” Peranteau added.

Kona and Anoki can be seen daily in the Seafari Theater, making appearances in the underwater viewing pool during the Asian small-clawed otter presentations, “You Otter Know.” Kona’s father, Kenobi, along with female sea lions Dichali and Ella, can be found at the park’s Fort Independence Theater in an educational presentation called “Fish Factor.”